Justin Rose Takes Control In Abu Dhabi

Justin Rose extended his lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday, shooting a 4-under 68 to take a two-shot lead over Jamie Donaldson and Thorbjorn Olesen.

Justin Rose extended his lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday, shooting a 4-under 68 to take a two-shot lead over Jamie Donaldson and Thorbjorn Olesen.

A day after top-ranked Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Tiger Woods missed the cut, the fifth-ranked Englishman made his third round look easy. After three-putting on the first for a bogey, Rose had a stretch of six birdies over nine holes —including an approach shot on No. 9 that rolled to 4 feet from the hole for birdie. He nearly chipped in on No. 18 and settled for another birdie.

Olesen (69) and Donaldson (69) struggled to make putts early but finished with birdies to close the gap. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (66) finished with two birdies to move into fourth, three shots behind Rose.